Philly Sports Musehttp://phillysportsmuse.com
Philadelphia Eagles News and ViewsTue, 13 Dec 2016 11:24:05 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.4.10Today, there will be Eagles football.http://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/08/16/today-will-eagles-football/
http://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/08/16/today-will-eagles-football/#commentsSun, 16 Aug 2015 12:41:21 +0000http://phillysportsmuse.com/?p=7413It’s August, which means we’re almost there. It’s almost fall. And around these parts, fall equals football. Sure, it’s preseason. But preseason always means we’re that much closer to the real thing. The games hold little meaning, other than our first real peeks into the talent of the new members of the team. As these […]

It’s August, which means we’re almost there. It’s almost fall. And around these parts, fall equals football.

Sure, it’s preseason. But preseason always means we’re that much closer to the real thing. The games hold little meaning, other than our first real peeks into the talent of the new members of the team. As these glimpses make or break the futures of players as well as teams, it does hold import.

“My job is to make sure our team is ready to play against the Atlanta Falcons [on September 14].,” said Kelly.

This is the dawn of the season that will really tell us what we have in Chip Kelly. He made bold moves this offseason–no more Shady McCoy, no more Nick Foles, with the additions of Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow to the mix. None of us can pretend to know his motivations. But if we know Chip, we know there’s a plan. Time to watch it begin to unfold.

And what’s to say about Tim Tebow that hasn’t already been said. He’s said to have made significant strides, and Tebowmania will be launched anew as he and Matt Barkley are due to see the most playing time today against the Colts. Is it really, truly possible that he will be the starting QB this season? With Chip as coach, one thing is for certain: never say never.

If you blink an eye, you may miss the Eagles starters today. But what you will see is a sea of midnight green at the Linc, a site that’s been a long time coming.

]]>http://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/08/16/today-will-eagles-football/feed/1Morning Muse: On Tim Tebow and NFL rule changeshttp://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/05/25/tim-tebow-extra-point-rule-change/
Mon, 25 May 2015 10:16:54 +0000http://phillysportsmuse.com/?p=7396Happy Memorial Day! I hope you’re all enjoying your holiday weekend. We’re in that looonng stretch of the offseason, the desert between the draft and training camp, when, at least the draw of summer distracts us slightly from how long it’s been since football season. We’ll make it. OTAs begin on May 26, so that’s […]

We’re in that looonng stretch of the offseason, the desert between the draft and training camp, when, at least the draw of summer distracts us slightly from how long it’s been since football season. We’ll make it. OTAs begin on May 26, so that’s something.

Because we need football news, here is a rundown of Eagles stories making headlines:

The Inquirer’s Bob Ford believes that having Tim Tebow on the roster will benefit the Birds, and points to the NFL’s rule change moving extra points from the 2-yard line to the 15-yard line as a reason: “The alteration increases the need for inventive goal-line packages.” – Inquirer

Lane Johnson isn’t messing around. He knows the o-line needs all the help it can get these days, so he’s looking to MMA to assist with his offseason training. Says Johnson, “I want to be elite at my position in the NFL, and I felt that this would help me get there.” – Birds 24/7

What might those upcoming OTAs reveal about the state of some of the Eagles’ most closely watched positions, including cornerback and safety? – PhillyVoice

And, in case you missed it earlier in the week, DeMarco Murray debuted his look in a Birds uniform. Yeah, that was a pretty good pickup.

]]>Philadelphia Eagles draft 2015 recap: The grades are inhttp://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/05/04/eagles-draft-grades/
http://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/05/04/eagles-draft-grades/#commentsMon, 04 May 2015 09:34:54 +0000http://phillysportsmuse.com/?p=7386The 2015 draft has come and gone, and the dust is beginning to settle for the Eagles and teams around the NFL. How did Chip Kelly do in this draft, the first where he had full control of the process? Despite the incredible speculation and trade scenarios leading up to the event, the draft was […]

The 2015 draft has come and gone, and the dust is beginning to settle for the Eagles and teams around the NFL. How did Chip Kelly do in this draft, the first where he had full control of the process?

Despite the incredible speculation and trade scenarios leading up to the event, the draft was decidedly without drama for the Eagles. They didn’t land Marcus Mariota, and they didn’t draft any offensive lineman. But they did load up on defensive backs, an area of need for many years.

The draft grades are pouring in, and there seems to be consensus about the Eagles’ performance: no one was wowed, but it wasn’t a miss. Better than average–every grade I’ve seen has been in the “B” range.

Heading into the draft, the team needed to find a dynamic wideout to replace Maclin, and they did that nicely with the first-round selection of Nelson Agholor. They needed to find a likely starter at corner, and they now have some options there, including with the pickup of the versatile Eric Rowe. The Jordan Hicks pick was too high, given his injury history. They needed help at safety and picked up a few options for that position. Philadelphia needed to address holes in the offensive line left by the departure of Todd Herremans and the likely exit at any moment by Evan Mathis (what WAS that this weekend?!).

Draft expert or casual fan, no one truly knows the success or failure of this draft until we see how the six drafted players perform for the team in the next few years. As the Daily News’ Paul Domowitch said in an article today, “There is no right or wrong with respect to the 2015 NFL draft right now. There are only opinions.”

A few other perspectives on the Eagles’ 2015 draft performance:

A roundup of draft grades from national media, including a B+ from Mel Kiper, Jr.:

He has put a premium on guys that will buy in, and I think he got those types and hit a couple home runs in the process. Nelson Agholor to me just screams “high floor.” He’s a great route runner, plucks the ball out away from his body, has the proven toughness of a return man — you should hear Polian talk about that — and is sneaky explosive. He can get behind defenses. I also think Eric Rowe at No. 47 overall was a steal. He is a great kid and offers up versatility (CB or S), and I thought he’d be a good value as early as the end of Round 1. ” –Birds 24/7

A B+ for the Birds from Brandon Gowton, an extensive round-up of grades from other outlets:

My first impression of the Eagles draft class is that it looks solid. There aren’t really any picks that make no sense at all to me. The team did a nice job of addressing needs by selecting players who fit their scheme and culture. – Bleeding Green Nation

]]>http://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/05/04/eagles-draft-grades/feed/1Eagles sign 15 UDFAs, including 4 offensive linemenhttp://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/05/03/eagles-udfa-offensive-linemen/
Sun, 03 May 2015 10:47:29 +0000http://phillysportsmuse.com/?p=7359The Eagles signed 15 undrafted free agents on Saturday. The biggest group taken was offensive linemen (four). This will not be enough to address the Eagles needs at the line–especially if the perpetually injured Sam Bradford is indeed the team’s starting quarterback this fall–but we’ll see what happens. There are usually at least a few […]

The Eagles signed 15 undrafted free agents on Saturday. The biggest group taken was offensive linemen (four). This will not be enough to address the Eagles needs at the line–especially if the perpetually injured Sam Bradford is indeed the team’s starting quarterback this fall–but we’ll see what happens. There are usually at least a few diamonds in the rough among the UDFAs.

I’ll highlight the offensive linemen first:

G Brett Boyko (6-7, 301) UNLV: From Lance Zierlein, NFL.com:

Lacks the athleticism teams want from tackles and the strength they are looking for at guard, but his savvy should get him into a camp. His best position may end up at center.

G Malcom Bunche (6-6, 320), UCLA: Bunche played at the University of Miami for four years, then transferred to UCLA for graduate work. A Newark, DE native, this what the LA Times had to say about him:

He opened the season at tackle, then moved to guard, where he was more effective….He’s got a nice body, and he’s a decent athlete. He’s got a ways to go technique-wise. His feet aren’t as good as you would like.

C Mike Coccia (6-3, 302), New Hampshire: A native of Bethlehem, PA, Coccia had a private workout with the Eagles last month. A four-year starting at center NH, he played guard in high school. More:

While he was not invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis, the 6-3, 302 pound center ran a 5.21 40-yard dash, had a 30 1/2-inch vertical along with an 8-7 broad jump at UNH’s pro day. Coccia ran the short shuttle in 4.78 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.75 seconds. He also put up 27 reps on the bench press.

G Cole Manhart (6-4, 298), Nebraska-Kearney: An AFC South scout had this to say about Manhart, per NFL.com:

“He has to move to guard to have a shot, but he’s not a bad football player. I just don’t know if he’s going to be strong enough to play in the league.”

NFL.com’s overall assessment of Manhart was as follows:

As an NFL guard, Manhart would be athletic enough for a zone scheme, but NFL scouts have grave concerns about his ability to drop anchor and handle power from the inside.

The other signed UDFAs are:

TE Andrew Gleichert (6-5, 264), Michigan State: Used as primarily a tight end, but also a fullback by the Spartans.

RB Raheem Mostert (5-11, 190), Purdue: This speedy kickoff returner recorded a 26.0-yard average on 88 career kickoff returns at Purdue, including a pair of touchdowns. He finished as the school’s all-time leader in kickoff return yardage with 2,289.

DE Travis Raciti (6-5, 285), San Jose State: Tied for tenth on the San Jose State career list with 27 tackles for a loss. The three-time academic all-conference honoree also racked up 14.5 sacks in his career.

DB Denzel Rice (6-0, 185), Coastal Carolina: Played in 50 games during his four-year career at Coastal Carolina and totaled 112 tackles (85 solo), 24 passes defensed and an interception. Led the Big South and tied a school record with 12 pass breakups as a junior in 2013 while starting all 15 games at corner.

]]>NFL Draft Day 3: Eagles load up at corner with picks of JaCorey Shepherd, Randall Evanshttp://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/05/03/eagles-jacorey-shepherd-randall-evans/
Sun, 03 May 2015 10:42:12 +0000http://phillysportsmuse.com/?p=7355The 2015 draft is now in the books and the ‪Eagles continued to load up on help in the defensive backfield, an area of need the past several drafts. While other pressing needs went unaddressed, namely on the offensive line, attention to the troubled secondary was long overdue. Much more will be said about what the […]

The 2015 draft is now in the books and the ‪Eagles continued to load up on help in the defensive backfield, an area of need the past several drafts. While other pressing needs went unaddressed, namely on the offensive line, attention to the troubled secondary was long overdue.

Much more will be said about what the Eagles got and what they didn’t this draft in the coming days. For now, here’s a look at the three players the Eagles took in the final day of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Round 6, Pick 15 (191): CB JaCorey Shepherd (5’11”, 199), Kansas

Kelly said that he didn’t think that Shepherd would still be there and was obviously excited that he was.

Shepherd comes with some tightness in off-man coverage but possesses fast eyes and is always aware in coverage. He also flashes the ability to anticipate and jump routes and has one of the best sets of ball skills we’ve evaluated in the 2015 cornerback class.”

Round 6, Pick 20 (196): CB Randall Evans (6’0″, 190), Kansas St.

Says Chip:

You know, the unique thing about him is he’s played safety, he’s played nickel, he’s played corner. He’s a physical player. He’s an outstanding special teams player. He’s a guy that we’ve had our eye on for a while just because of his ‑‑ not only his athletic ability but his position versatility, so he’s a guy that we were excited that he was still there.”

Evans has exceptional size and length and brings above-average range. He has some tightness in off man coverage and is at his best in press, where he can utilize his length to turn and run with receivers. Evans also has the size to compete with bigger receivers in contested situations.”

Round 7, Pick 20 (237): DE Brian Mihalik (6’9″, 295), Boston College

Says Kelly:

I think Brian has got a skill set … height/weight/speed off the charts. He has a 34-inch vertical jump. He ran 4.88 [in the 40] and he’s a productive player. He just played wide defensive end in a 4-3 defense. He hasn’t been a two-gap player, but we feel with the physical skill set that he has, that we can covert him to a four technique.”

]]>NFL Draft Day 2: Eagles pick DB Eric Rowe and LB Jordan Hickshttp://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/05/02/eagles-eric-rowe-jordan-hicks/
http://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/05/02/eagles-eric-rowe-jordan-hicks/#commentsSat, 02 May 2015 10:33:12 +0000http://phillysportsmuse.com/?p=7335Day 2 of the 2015 NFL draft saw the Eagles move up to get a versatile defensive back in Utah’s Eric Rowe with their second-round selection, and more depth at linebacker with Texas’ Jordan Hicks in the third round. Philadelphia moved up from 52 to the 47th pick overall, trading with the Dolphins, to get […]

The Eagles traded up to make Eric Rowe their first selection in the 2nd round.

Day 2 of the 2015 NFL draft saw the Eagles move up to get a versatile defensive back in Utah’s Eric Rowe with their second-round selection, and more depth at linebacker with Texas’ Jordan Hicks in the third round.

Philadelphia moved up from 52 to the 47th pick overall, trading with the Dolphins, to get Rowe (6’1, 205). He has played both safety and corner, and what do you know–the Eagles need help at both.

His versatility is a big part of what made him worth giving up a pick to get him, said Chip Kelly.

We think he can do a lot of things. That was the thing about him. He’s got 45 career starts, I think nine at corner and 36 at safety…Versatility is one of the things that you look at and then from a height-weight-speed parameter, he’s off the charts in terms of what he can do from a physical standpoint.”

NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock was also high on Rowe.

This is one of my favorite players in the draft. He played free safety for three years before kicking over to corner this year. He’s a top-50 pick all day long. Rowe can match up on the outside with the big receivers in the NFL.”

While he has successfully played both positions, Rowe said that his preference would be to play corner, as he feels he has is room to grow in that role. When asked to describe his style of play, Rowe revealed a DB this town may love.

A physical, press competitor. I love to hit, I love to come on the blitz and tackle. On the press man, I love to take charges on the line of scrimmage. I would say I’m an aggressive corner.”

Rowe played in 47 games (45 starts) at Utah and accumulated 261 tackles, three INTs and 34 passes defensed in his career. His 34 career pass breakups are the fourth-highest total in Ute’s annals, and his 13 pass breakups as a senior in 2014 tied for the fifth-highest single-season mark in school history.

Jordan Hicks

In the third round, with the 84th overall selection, the Eagles picked Texas LB Jordan Hicks (6’1″ 236).

One thing Philadelphia already had with Hicks was an element of familiarity, said Kelly.

Jordan was, I think, the individual we saw the most this offseason, whether it was exposure at the Senior Bowl to him, his pro day, individual workouts, top-30 visits, all those other things… He’s a three-down linebacker, can cover and is an outstanding special teams player.”

There is little doubt about his talent, but there are concerns about his extensive injury history, though Hicks was healthy all of last season. Mayock’s reaction to the pick reflected these concerns.

“I think a lot of people like his physical traits, but people worry about his durability.”

Concerns about this health aside, Hicks feels his greatest asset is his proven ability to be thrown into any system and thrive.

I think, number one, the fact that I’m a smart football player. I can get people lined up on the field and I have a great understanding of football and schemes and what it takes to call a play and check plays. I think also the versatility that I’ve been in. I’ve seen four different linebacker coaches, four different [defensive] coordinators in five years at the University of Texas. I’ve played in 3-4 defenses, 4-3 defenses. I’ve been in spot drops, man drops, zone pressure schemes, man pressure schemes. You name it, I’ve probably learned it. I think the ability to convert and take what I’ve learned and translate it over to this next level is probably the big thing.”

Hicks appeared in 45 career games at Texas, with 28 starts, amassing 299 tackles, including 24 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, two INTs, seven pass breakups, 12 special teams tackles and one fumble recovery. His 147 tackles as a senior were tied for the seventh-highest total in Texas history. In 2014, Hicks was named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive player.

Here’s some footage of Rowe at this year’s combine to get your excitement flowing:

]]>http://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/05/02/eagles-eric-rowe-jordan-hicks/feed/6Chip Kelly talks 1st-round pick Nelson Agholor, denies trade offers for Mariotahttp://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/05/01/eagles-nelson-agholor-draft/
Fri, 01 May 2015 09:41:40 +0000http://phillysportsmuse.com/?p=7320In the end, the anticipated drama, intrigue and complex trade scenarios did not come to pass for the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite reports of late inquiries with the Buccaneers and the Titans regarding the top two spots to get Marcus Mariota, Chip Kelly stayed with the 20th overall spot and selected WR Nelson Agholor from USC for […]

Welcome Nelson Agholor to Philadelphia, the first-round pick of the Eagles in the 2015 draft.

In the end, the anticipated drama, intrigue and complex trade scenarios did not come to pass for the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite reports of late inquiries with the Buccaneers and the Titans regarding the top two spots to get Marcus Mariota, Chip Kelly stayed with the 20th overall spot and selected WR Nelson Agholor from USC for their first round pick in the 2015 draft.

Wild trade offers from Kelly were reported through the start of the draft, supposedly offering first round picks as well as just about every star of the Eagles defense. Not surprisingly, he denied the reports, comparing his actions to looking at swanky houses you know you can’t afford.

We didn’t offer any players to anybody. It was just a really steep price. It was like driving into a nice neighborhood and looking at a house, and they tell you the price and you walk away. We didn’t walk in the front door and take a look around. Part of our plan, as we’ve said all along is we’re going to build this team. We still think there is a lot of value in this draft and in future drafts.”

Agholor (6’1, 190) has drawn comparisons to former Eagle (sniffle) Jeremy Maclin. Kelly said of the pick, “He’s a great fit for what we’re doing.” Agholor has drawn praise for his athleticism, versatility, and high football IQ. Kelly continued,

He’s got excellent speed, outstanding hands, catches the ball away from his body. Outstanding route runner, real student of the game. We were really excited, and he was kind of what our model is. He was the best player that was available for us that fit our system.”

Kelly’s praise continued, comparing his newest player to one of his 2014 selections at receiver, Jordan Matthews.

I guess the best way to say it is he’s just dialed in as a football player. He’s in the Jordan Matthews category in terms of his approach to the game. Always striving to be better. I think the great thing about Nelson is he has a growth mind-set, and not a fixed mindset. He’s always trying to get better.”

Mike Mayock was high on the pick for the Eagles.

“Agholor is a precise route runner. He has added value as a great returner. He reminds you of Jeremy Maclin, the guy he’s replacing. Agholor can play anywhere, outside and in the slot. The Philadelphia Eagles are going to love him.”

Agholor finished his career at USC with 179 catches for 2,571 yards and 20 TDs in 30 games, becoming just the 12th Trojan to notch 2,000 receiving yards in a career. Additionally, he had 540 yards on 37 punt returns (14.6 average) and set a school record with four punt return touchdowns. Agholor recorded 24 kickoff returns for 443 yards (18.5 average). In 2014, he started all 13 games and led the team with 104 receptions and 1,313 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. His 104 receptions in 2014 rank third on USC’s all-time single-season list and sixth in the Pac-12.

Check out some of Agholor’s highlights from the 2014 season:

Follow Agholor on Twitter at @nelsonagholor . Welcome to Philadelphia, Nelson. Looking forward to seeing you on the field.

]]>Morning Muse: Mychal Kendricks trade talk and a roundup of Eagles draft day rumorshttp://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/04/30/mychal-kendricks-eagles-draft/
http://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/04/30/mychal-kendricks-eagles-draft/#commentsThu, 30 Apr 2015 10:11:56 +0000http://phillysportsmuse.com/?p=7302The day has finally arrived. The NFL draft starts tonight and finally, we will have answers. Eagles fans will find out how much more–or less–they understand the enigma that is Chip Kelly. In the lead-up to the main event, there is an intense scramble of rumors and goings-on behind the scenes, as is always the […]

The day has finally arrived. The NFL draft starts tonight and finally, we will have answers. Eagles fans will find out how much more–or less–they understand the enigma that is Chip Kelly.

In the lead-up to the main event, there is an intense scramble of rumors and goings-on behind the scenes, as is always the case. Here’s a roundup of the latest rumors as they relate to Philadelphia:

The Mariota Madness will not end until he is drafted by one of the many teams in the league speculated to be after him. Chief among them are the Eagles, who reportedly are doing “all they can” to get him. –ProFootballTalk

In Mike Mayock’s lone mock draft, he has safety Damarious Randall headed to the Eagles, saying, “Randall is probably the fastest-rising prospect in this draft class. He has coverage skills and great range on the back end. This kid is today’s NFL safety; he has great range but you give up some physicality.” – NFL.com

Part of the draft mix is trade talk, and the Birds reportedly have Brandon Boykin and Mychal Kendricks on the trading block. – Inquirer

Oh yeah, those Kendricks rumors? The Eagles reportedly want a second-round pick for him. And teams aren’t the league aren’t having it, apparently. – CSNPhilly

Wondering what kind of wideouts Philadelphia plans to target? In this case size is much of what matters. – Daily News

An overview of the Eagles’ needs this draft. Shocker: there are many. – Inquirer

Wondering what the draft process is like for the families of soon-to-be NFL rookies? Some NFL moms, including Mama McNabb, talk about the big day. –NFL Player Engagement

Who will go first, Mariota or Jameis Winston? And who will be the better pro-quarterback? Fivethirtyeight answers the question by building a model, as they do. – fivethirtyeight

You excited yet? Get in the mood until the official start tonight with this clip from the movie Draft Day. Pretty sure that with this draft, real life will be even better than the movies.

]]>http://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/04/30/mychal-kendricks-eagles-draft/feed/2It’s almost here: Who will the Eagles take first in the draft?http://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/04/27/philadelphia-eagles-draft/
Mon, 27 Apr 2015 10:10:15 +0000http://phillysportsmuse.com/?p=7289After five months of talk and speculation, the 2015 NFL draft is almost here. The intrigue surrounding Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles is at record levels. Have his series of bold moves this offseason all been part of a brilliant master plan to snag Oregon QB Marcus Mariota? Will all be revealed (and make […]

After five months of talk and speculation, the 2015 NFL draft is almost here. The intrigue surrounding Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles is at record levels. Have his series of bold moves this offseason all been part of a brilliant master plan to snag Oregon QB Marcus Mariota? Will all be revealed (and make sense) come Thursday night?

The stakes are as high as they’ve ever been for the Birds. It is the first draft where Kelly will fully wield power. After a disastrous selection of Marcus Smith in the first round last year, the Eagles have got to make a pick able to make a positive impact on the field this season. No room for excuses.

We know that Philadelphia has a number of areas of need that it must fill, safety and wide receiver chief among them. And we know that Kelly will say, as we’ve always heard from the Eagles, that the draft is about taking the best player available, not about addressing needs.

But still…we must mock. Mock draft, that is. The mock drafts don’t even wait until the NFL season ends these days, and the mock madness is at fever pitch in these final days leading up to the draft. They are never close to the reality that unfolds during the draft, but they are still worthy of discussion.

Many experts like Alabama SS Landon Collins for the Eagles. In fact, three of the eight experts on NFL.com’s “Mock Draft Central” predict that he will be Philadelphia’s first round selection, with the 20th pick overall. In what is viewed as a weak safety class, Mike Mayock rates Collins as the second-best safety in the draft, behind Arizona State’s Damarious Randall.

But the Eagles themselves may be throwing shade at the prediction. When Eagles director of player personnel Ed Marynowitz spoke with the media last week, among a series of interesting comments he provided remarks on how he viewed Collins:

He can do it, to a degree. I think all these guys have strengths and weaknesses. Landon has the potential to do that. Maybe not to the degree that some other guys do, but he certainly has the ability to do that.”

Certainly not a ringing endorsement.

ESPN draft experts Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay have the Eagles still addressing needs in the defensive backfield with their first-round pick, but at the cornerback position with the selection of Washington’s Marcus Peters. Of the pick, Kiper said:

Marcus Peters, cornerback from Washington, is the pick at No. 20 for the Philadelphia. Marcus Peters has an attitude and approach: physical. When you think about in press coverage there against [Jaelen] Strong. You think about a guy who can upgrade a secondary that desperately needs it, that defense. You can’t keep outscoring people. You need to start stopping people and containing people. […] He went up against some really good receivers in the PAC-12 and at the cornerback spot for Washington, he held up exceptionally well when he was challenged and put up to the test against those guys who are going to be in the NFL as high picks.”

If the Eagles went for a wideout with their top pick, names like Breshad Perriman from Central Florida and Phillip Dorsett from Miami have been mentioned as possibilities for the team. Mayock ranks Perriman as the fourth-best wideout of this year’s class, and doesn’t feature Dorsett in the top 5 of version 4.0 of his position rankings. Perriman’s elite combination of size, speed and explosiveness could be an enticing target for Kelly.

Dorsett is projected as a first or second rounder, with his average of 25 YPC getting teams’ attention. Does Kelly want to make his mark with his top pick in what is truly his first draft on a 5’10 and 185 receiver? I don’t see that happening.

Who do you want the Eagles to snag at the top? Hold on tight, ladies and gents, we’re going to get our answers soon.

Check out some Landon Collins highlights and decide if you think he’s the man for Birds:

]]>Philadelphia Eagles MNF season opener in Atlanta headlines 2015 schedulehttp://phillysportsmuse.com/2015/04/22/philadelphia-eagles-2015-schedule/
Wed, 22 Apr 2015 09:20:10 +0000http://phillysportsmuse.com/?p=7275There are still five long months to endure until football is back, but hope arrived in the form of the Philadelphia Eagles 2015 schedule release on Tuesday evening. The season starts for the Birds with the Monday Night Football opener on September 14 at Atlanta. The thrill of a new season continues to soar when […]

There are still five long months to endure until football is back, but hope arrived in the form of the Philadelphia Eagles 2015 schedule release on Tuesday evening.

The season starts for the Birds with the Monday Night Football opener on September 14 at Atlanta. The thrill of a new season continues to soar when the Eagles meet the Cowboys in Week 2 for the home opener at the Linc.

Philadelphia’s next meeting with a divisional foe comes on the road in Washington on October 4. The first game against the Giants comes on October 19 at home in another Monday night matchup. Philadelphia’s season will end against the Giants on January 4 at the Meadowlands.

Anticipation is on high for Chip Kelly’s third season with the Eagles, as evidenced by the fact that the team will be featured on national broadcasts no less than six times: Week 1 (at Atlanta) and Week 6 (vs. Giants) on Monday Night Football; Week 7 (at Carolina) and Week 9 (at Dallas) on Sunday Night Football; a Thanksgiving Day feast at the Lions in Week 12; and Week 16 (vs. Redskins) on the NFL Network.

The NFC East matchups will be filled with emotion, but a few other games also leap out as being heated battles. Namely, Week 13’s game against the Super Bowl winning (bleah) Patriots at New England. Immediately following is the Week 14 contest against the Bills at the Linc, or the return of Shady McCoy to his former home. It’s always good when it’s personal.

Fansided calls the Eagles 2015 schedule the 3rd toughest in the league. Philadelphia has their work cut out for them this year regardless of who they face, with a number of key pieces, especially at quarterback, that will need to step up and perform quickly. There remain many unknowns, but with the schedule release this week and the draft finally arrive next week, critical pieces of the puzzle have slowly started to fall in place.